Dispensing apparatus having a movable platform



217, w69 G. BALLIN 3,446,395 DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING A MOVABLE PLATFORM Filed sept. 12. 1967 sheet of 2 INVENTOR GENE BALN BY ,1

A 'roRNEYs -G. BALLIN DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING A MOVABLE PLATFOR Filed Sept. l2, 1967 Sheet INVENTOR i' ENE BA l ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,446,395 DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING A MOVABLE PLATFORM Gene Ballin, 3045 Shore Drive, Merrick, N.Y. 11566 Filed Sept. 12, 1967, Ser. N0. 667,213 Inf. Cl. B65h 1/08; A47k 10/24 U.S. Cl. 221-52 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Dispensing apparatus, particularly adapted to dispense tissues, having a series of steps interior of the receptacle and a platform which engages the steps and is adapted to move easily in one direction and resist movement in the other direction.

maining in the container. In addition, if the container is used for storage and display at point of sale the items in the container are gradually removed from easy view by the purchaser.

Boxes for the storage and dispensing of tissues present a particular problem. It is highly desirable to dispense tissues from a position near the opening in the top of the box so that easy access is possible to prevent their being damaged, such as by soiling or crushing, if more than the desired number are removed. In the past, tissues have been packaged in two ways, interlocked and noninterlocked. The interlocked tissue dispenser presents an unsightly appearance due to the fact that a tissue is always projecting from the top opening of the box, after the preceding tissue has been removed. The extended tissue is easily soiled or inadvertently withdrawn. Once withdrawn, the tissue cannot be returned to the box in the same manner as it was previously stored. In the case of noninterlocking tissues, it is necessary to look directly into the box to ascertain if tissues are still present. In addition, since a user must grope at the bottom of such a box, the user often pulls up a larger number of tissues than desired thereby destroying the arrangement of the remaining tissues and presenting a problem as to the disposal of the undesired removed tissues.

The invention of this application solves the problems of the prior art dispensers by providing a dispensing box which does not require the use of interlocking tissues but which represents the remaining tissues for easy removal without requiring that tissues project upwardly out of the box. A cardboard or plastic box having horizontal dimensions substantially equal to that of a folded tissue is provided with a series of ridges or steps along two oppositely disposed interior vertical walls. A flexible platform rests on the steps and is located beneath the tissues. An opening is provided in the bottom of the container so that, as the contents are withdrawn through the top opening, the platform can be manually lifted to move the contents close to the top opening. The platform is designed to facilitate movement in the upward direction and limit or inhibit movement downwardly.

The invention will be described in greater detail below and in the drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the unfolded blank for the box of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial plan cross section of the folded box;

FIGURE 3 is a view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view along line 4 4 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, a blank 10 for a tissue dispensing box is die-cut from a sheet of flat material. The box may be made of cardboard or any other synthetic material such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. The blank 10 contains a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12 and a pair of longitudinal side panels 13 and 14. Blank 10 further contains a number of end aps which are designed to overlap each other when the box is assembled. The top and bottom walls 11 and 12 are provided with end aps 15 and 16 which, when assembled, overlap in a horizontal direction on the exterior of the box. Side panels 13 and 14 are provided with end flaps 17 and 18 which meet to form a vertical joint on the interior of the box when the box is assembled. A pasting flap 19 is provided along the longitudinal edge of bottom wall 12 to permit pasting of the bottom Wall 12 to side panel 14 when the box is assembled. Folding lines 20 are scored in blank 10 along the edges of the various walls and panels to permit the sections to fold into the completed receptacle.

The wall 11 of the box is provided with a perforated oval 21 capable of being removed by tearing, while bottom wall 12 is provided with a perforated slot 22 which is also capable of removal. End flaps 17 and 18 are each provided with a series of notches 23 which are so designed as to form a series of steps, as shown in FIG. 4, on the interior, at each end of the box, when the box is assembled. Each set of notches is aligned on both aps so that when assembled they produce a substantially continuous step having a flat lower surface. The purpose of the steps will be described in detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 a platform 24 is shown horizontally disposed within the assembled box. Platform 24 is made of material that is relatively stiff but which still retains some degree of flexibility. The platform may be made of one of the common synthetic plastics and may be vacuum formed or molded as desired. The platform surface 27 is substantially equal in length and width to the interior dimensions of the assembled container. Each of the platform ends which are disposed at the ends containing steps 23 is formed with a downwardly-sloped curve lip 26 which depends from the main surface 27 of the platform. Lip 26 is curved outwardly so that it projects into one of the steps 23 and acts as a spring retainer exerting a continuous outward pressure. The lip 26 will resist pressure applied to the top surface of the platform but will allow the platform to move upwardly. The other sides of the platform 27 are provided with downwardly extending vertical walls 25 which give structural stability to the unit and also support lip 26 at its ends.

Platform 24 is further provided `with a series of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 28 and a series of at the platform center.

which rise to a point, a dome center section of the platform can be made flexible sothat pressure applied to the bottom surface Will Slightly raise the center section.

from sheet material to side 14. End aps 17 and 18 are folded inwardly on both ends and flaps 15 and 16 are then folded over flaps 17 and 18 and secured. Upon assembly, the perforated tearout portions 21 and 22 may be retained intact for storage and shipping.

After the purchaser receives the box, he lirst removes both of the tear-outs. Initially, tissues in the full box will be at the level of the top tear-out 21, and the user can easily remove the desired number. As tissues are removed, their level will drop. When this occurs the user need only insert his fingers through the bottom tear out 22 and push the platform 24 upwardly to once again restore the level of the tissues. Platform 24 will be retained by lips 26 which engage steps 23 and, due to its configuration, will resist downward movement while permitting upward movement. Further, the provision of raised dome 30 on the platform will prevent crushing of the tissues as the platform is pushed upwardly. The center of the tissues will be pushed upwardly out of the opening 21 while the edges of opening 21 will prevent the tissues from Abeing crushed against the interior surface of top sidel11. 1f platform 24 were level, the upward movement of the platform would tend to crush the tissues against the entire inner surface of the top thereby making it difficult to remove tissues without damaging the remaining ones. The provision of a exihle center section on the platform will accomplish the same purpose as previously explained.

While a cut-out 22 has been shown on the bottom of the box, a slot could be provided in the side of the box to permit raising of platform 24. Further, while steps 23 are shown in the embodiment as an integral portion of the box blank, they can be made as a separate unit and affixed to the interior of the ends, or to any two opposite vertical surfaces. Although the box shown herein is formed from a folded sheet of ilat material the box used with this invention can be formed in any conventional manner such as by molding.

The box of this invention economically and simply solves the problem of dispensing material from a container where the container contains a number of items which are removed at different times. While the specific embodiment has been shown |with regard to the dispensing of tissues, the invention is adaptable for use with any type of carton for dispensing any type of unit item including items which may be prepackaged for sale.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, it will be understood that the description is illustrative only and the invention is limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Dispensing apparatus comprising in combination a receptable having an opening on one wall for removal of the contents of the receptacle, `and a plurality of end walls, a plurality of end aps positioned within said receptacle adjacent said end walls, said end flaps being provided with a plurality of notches so as to form steps within the interior of the receptacle and a movable platform having means at the ends thereof adapted to engage said steps for retaining said platform in a plurality of positions parallel to and spaced from said opening.

2. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the platform is provided with a raised portion aligned with said opening in said receptacle and facing said opening.

3. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 'wherein the platform is provided with a center portion aligned with said opening in said receptacle, said center portion being yieldable.

4. Dispensing apparatus according to claim .1 further including a second opening in said receptacle disposed in a wall of said receptacle on the side of said platform opposite said first opening.

j5. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means on said platform include a portion depending at an angle from said platform, said portion being biased outwardly and engaging said steps of said receptacle.

A6. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the said end portions of said platform which engage the steps for retaining said platform are relatively yieldable in one direction and relatively unyieldable in the other direction, whereby said platform is movable in one direction and immovable in the opposite direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 205,841 7/-1878 Dawson 221-56 X 1,853,407 4/ 1932 Cofrin 221--59 3,221,928 12/1965 Horn 221--56 X 3,243,078 3/1966 Pherson 221--56 X FOREIGN PATENTS 17,111 6/19'13 France. 47 2,036 11/19-14 France. 450,00@ l 1/1966 Netherlands.

WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

